16V Camshaft sprocket stuck

[golfmk4owner]

Hi guys, i dont know if im missing something obvious or its stuck, but i cannot get my camshaft sprocket nut free to take the cams out.
Im using a metal bar to jam the sprocket to keep it still, ive used a breaker bar and hammer method and cannot get the nut free. It is a normal thread am i correct? I should be turning it anti-clockwise?

[mk2bal]

You don't need it off to get the cams out? If you must remove it, with belt etc on and tensioned still you can hold the bottom pulley and undo the top one against it. Or an impact gun to shock it off

[Nino]

hi im just on my cousins account!
It does need to come off to get the cam out, the sprocket catches the head and it wont budge. The haynes says to take it off too. But thats all it says, "remove camshaft sprocket".
The cylinder head isnt on the car, so im trying to crack the nut with the head off the car!
Does anybody know if its a revers thread by any chance? should i perhaps be turning it clockwise instead?

[mk2bal]

It doesn't need to come off to remove the cams once you've got all the cam caps off? Ive never removed mine, and have had them out on my old 9a, kr, and current abf.. Might not lift straight out, may require a wiggle, but defo doesn't require pulley removal.. Unless you have a non standard pulley?

[golfmk4owner]

I tried once again, it doesnt come out with the sprocket on. I took the second cam off because that one is chain driven, but the sprocket driven cam needs the sprocket off! Anyways ive left it in and done my head gasket as i intended